Make Homemade Dog Beds

How about making a homemade dog bed or two? Just follow the easy instructions below, or refer to the links at bottom for further ideas.

BASIC DOG PAD

Materials

• Old quilt (or sleeping bag-the kind that unzips and opens out into a square or rectangle)
• Sewing machine or needle and thread Velcro (optional)
• Super strong glue (optional)

Instructions

• Fold the quilt lengthwise in half or thirds
• Try it out in the back of your vehicle or doghouse
• Above all, make sure it’s big enough for your dog to lie on!
• For a smaller dog, cut off some of the length
• Use the remainder as an extra layer or two
• Sew the edges together or
• Use Velcro strips at least 3 inches (75mm) long at strategic points
• Note: Adhesive Velcro is easiest to apply, but doesn’t always stick that well. You may need to secure the strips by sewing them to the fabric or adding a strong glue

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“PILLOWCASE” FOAM BED

Materials

• An old quilt or sleeping bag
• Foam pad or pieces of foam, large enough to accommodate your dog
• Straight pins
• Marking pen
• Needle and thread or sewing machine
• Velcro or zipper to match width of pillowcase (optional)

Estimated Time

• One to two hours

Estimated Cost Will depend on how many of the materials you can scrounge:

• Thread: About USD 0.30
• Zipper: USD 0.00 if you can take one off an old couch cushion, sleeping bag or something you’re no longer wearing; otherwise up to USD 6.00
• Velcro: Up to USD 4.00

Instructions

• Place the foam on the right side of your material about 1 1/4 inches (30mm) from the bottom edge and one side (per above)
• Fold the remaining material over the foam
• Leave the top end alone
• Mark the bottom and side seam with your marker or pins, leaving a 1 1/4 inch (30 mm) seam allowance
• Cut off the excess fabric
• Sew along the marked seams by hand or machine
• Turn your pillowcase inside out so the good side faces out
• Insert the foam
• If you have enough excess material at the top, you can simply fold it underneath the pad or
• Add a zipper or Velcro for a fancier finish
• The Velcro can be applied in strips at least 3 inches (75mm) long or in one long piece
• Remember you may still need to sew the Velcro down or add extra glue, even if it is the adhesive kind

Jo Soliday is longtime crafter and dog lover who enjoys making things for dogs.

For instructions on making a dog bed out of old couch cushions, see Free Dog Bed

For creating dog beds in the shape you want, check out Free Dog Bed Patterns

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Jo_Soliday/76043